Modeling Sheet Metal Transitional Shapes with Manufacturing Intent and Results

1. A computer-implemented method for generating a lofted sheet metal model, comprising: accepting input from a user for obtaining a first input profile and a second input profile; generating a triangulated lofted shape that transitions from the first input profile to the second input profile, wherein the generating comprises: creating a smooth non-linear surface that transitions from the first input profile to the second input profile; and applying a set of one or more triangulation rules to break up the smooth non-linear surface into the triangulated lofted shape, wherein the triangulated lofted shape comprises one or more simple planes or cylinders; adjusting the triangulated lofted shape to reflect a manufacturing process; and generating a manufacturable lofted sheet metal shape based on the adjusted triangulated lofted shape.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of one or more triangulation rules comprise a rule specifying a value for a chord tolerance.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of one or more triangulation rules comprise a rule specifying a value for a facet angle.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the set of one or more triangulation rules comprise a rule specifying a value for a facet distance.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein: the one or more triangulation rules are configured by a user; and the applying of the set of one or more triangulation rules is performed automatically and independently from any user actions.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjusting further comprises accepting user input adjusting the triangulated lofted shape.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjusting modifies a total number of bends of the triangulated lofted shape.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating of the manufacturable lofted sheet metal shape comprises generating a flat pattern that can be used to manufacture a lofted sheet metal part.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating of the manufacturable lofted sheet metal shape further comprises generating manufacturing data for direct input into a numerical control device.

10. An apparatus for generating a lofted sheet metal model in a computer system comprising: (a) a computer having a memory; (b) an application executing on the computer, wherein the application is configured to: (i) accept input from a user for obtaining a first input profile and a second input profile; (ii) generate a triangulated lofted shape that transitions from the first input profile to the second input profile by: creating a smooth non-linear surface that transitions from the first input profile to the second input profile; and applying a set of one or more triangulation rules to break up the smooth non-linear surface into the triangulated lofted shape, wherein the triangulated lofted shape comprises one or more simple planes or cylinders; (iii) adjust the triangulated lofted shape to reflect a manufacturing process; and (iv) generate a manufacturable lofted sheet metal shape based on the adjusted triangulated lofted shape.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the set of one or more triangulation rules comprise a rule specifying a value for a chord tolerance.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the set of one or more triangulation rules comprise a rule specifying a value for a facet angle.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the set of one or more triangulation rules comprise a rule specifying a value for a facet distance.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein: the one or more triangulation rules are configured by a user; and the application is configured to apply the set of one or more triangulation rules automatically and independently from any user actions.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the application is configured to adjust by accepting user input adjusting the triangulated lofted shape.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein application is configured to adjust by modifying a total number of bends of the triangulated lofted shape.

17. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the application is configured to generate the manufacturable lofted sheet metal shape by generating a flat pattern that can be used to manufacture a lofted sheet metal part.

18. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the application is configured to generate the manufacturable lofted sheet metal shape by further generating manufacturing data for direct input into a numerical control device.

19. A computer readable storage medium encoded with computer program instructions which when accessed by a computer cause the computer to load the program instructions to a memory therein creating a special purpose data structure causing the computer to operate as a specially programmed computer, executing a method of generating a lofted sheet metal model, comprising: accepting, in the specially programmed computer, input from a user for obtaining a first input profile and a second input profile; generating, in the specially programmed computer, a triangulated lofted shape that transitions from the first input profile to the second input profile, wherein the generating comprises: creating, in the specially programmed computer, a smooth non-linear surface that transitions from the first input profile to the second input profile; and applying, in the specially programmed computer, a set of one or more triangulation rules to break up the smooth non-linear surface into the triangulated lofted shape, wherein the triangulated lofted shape comprises one or more simple planes or cylinders; adjusting, in the specially programmed computer, the triangulated lofted shape to reflect a manufacturing process; and generating, in the specially programmed computer, a manufacturable lofted sheet metal shape based on the adjusted triangulated lofted shape.

20. The article of manufacture of claim 19 , wherein the set of one or more triangulation rules comprise a rule specifying a value for a chord tolerance.

21. The article of manufacture of claim 19 , wherein the set of one or more triangulation rules comprise a rule specifying a value for a facet angle.

22. The article of manufacture of claim 19 , wherein the set of one or more triangulation rules comprise a rule specifying a value for a facet distance.

23. The article of manufacture of claim 19 , wherein: the one or more triangulation rules are configured by a user; and the applying of the set of one or more triangulation rules is performed automatically and independently from any user actions.

24. The article of manufacture of claim 19 , wherein the adjusting further comprises accepting, in the specially programmed computer, user input adjusting the triangulated lofted shape.

25. The article of manufacture of claim 19 , wherein the adjusting modifies a total number of bends of the triangulated lofted shape.

26. The article of manufacture of claim 19 , wherein the generating of the manufacturable lofted sheet metal shape comprises generating, in the specially programmed computer, a flat pattern that can be used to manufacture a lofted sheet metal part.

27. The article of manufacture of claim 19 , wherein the generating of the manufacturable lofted sheet metal shape further comprises generating, in the specially programmed computer, manufacturing data for direct input into a numerical control device.